Pig casting apparatus



A ril 27, 1943; F. F. BOLLINGER' ETAL 2,317,584

PIG CASTING APPARATUS Original Filed Feb. 26, 1941 Patented Apr. 27, 1943 PIG CASTING APPARATUS Frank F. Bollinger, Pittsburgh, and Carl L. Kenney, Ben Avon, Pa.

Original application February 26, 1941, Serial No. 380,580. Divided and this application June 12, 1942, Serial No. 446,700

4 Claims. (Cl. 22-62) Our invention is an improvement in pig casting apparatus of the continuous double chainconveyed mold series type of present standard construction, wherein molten metal is continuously received, hardened and discharged.

In such construction a continuous series of transversely arranged overlapping molds are supported by their opposite ends and carried upon and by endless chains passing around endmost driving and driven sprocket wheels for progressive filling, cooling, discharge and spraying. as at present largely practiced in the art.

Practical development and use of such equip ment has resulted in certain advantageous improvements in link construction, means for preventing undesired accumulation or overflow of excess metal tending to interfere with continuous maximum operating efliciency, etc., as hereinafter described.

Ordinarily the carrying chains consist of pairs of individual links connected by transverse pins providing axle bearings for the track supported wheels, as in our prior application Ser. No.-

380,580, of which this application is a division.

The present improvement is in providing a novel and useful connection between the several pairs of links of the opposite side-by-side strands for supporting the several intervening molds in either receiving position for the molten metal or in reverse travel after discharge of the molded metal pigs.

By the particular form of such connection the molds are not only firmly connected and carried in endless procession throughout their active or passive transits, but are particularly useful in connection with splash prevention of molten metal in filling, and from splash of cooling water carrying abrasive material.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an isometric detail view of one of the improved mold supporting bridge plates, of the drop type.

Fig. 2 is an incomplete transverse sectional view through one of the molds and its chain supports, one of the carrying wheels being in section.

Each side chain of a pair consists of pairs of in dividual, side by side links 2, connected at their ends by axle pins 6 for wheels 1 running on track rails 29. Each link 2 is provided at its middle portion with either one or a pair of open slots 9 for reception of the bridge piece or mold support l2. In the present improved construction the bridge piece I2 is shown as not continuously straight as heretofore, but is off-set as at I2a thus lowering its inner mold connecting end materially below its outer chain engaging portion, for clearance of the chain guards A and B.

The inner end of each bridge piece 12 terminates in a flange-like extension or supporting base I3 of suitable width, having two or more holes I4 for connection by bolts IS with the terminal lugs I6 of mold IT, at each end thereof, as shown. In such construction sufficient clearance for the bridge piece l2 in its connection with the conveyor chain links is provided to suit varying sizes of the parts wherever necessary. The bridge piece I2 is also provided with suitable means, as cotter pin 26, for retaining the members including keeper plate 25, in operative relation.

For the purpose of protecting the conveyor chain and its parts from splashing of molten metal we utilize a pair of chain guards A and B which may be of heavy cast iron angle form as shown.

These are of ample length extending along underneath the laterally located pouring zone at both the receiving side and the opposite side, thus avoiding and protecting the chain from splashing or overflow at either end of the mold. Similar chain guards, preferably of somewhat lighter structural steel angle form, may be similarly located along the remainder of the chain exposure, beyond and towards an opposite end, thereby completely protecting the chains at all cooling points throughout the full extent of exposure to the cooling element, as water.

In each case it will be observed that the inner flange of both such chain guards A and B extends sufiiciently below the edges of the mold and inwardly beyond the off-set I2a of bridge piece I2, to ensure protection of the chain throughout its exposed length in receiving and cooling positions.

The present construction is of material advantage and improvement in providing complete protection of the moving portions of the equipment against impairment, in simplifying and cheapening manufacture of its parts, and in increasing eificiency and endurance of the apparatus as a whole.

It will be understood that use of the present features of improvement is not limited as to size, dimensions, design or otherwise, and such may be readily controlled and adopted by the designing engineer, within the scope of the following claims.

v What we claim is:

outer conveying chains, mold supporting members mounted on the chains having an ofiset extension disposed inwardly and engaging the mold terminals, and longitudinally arranged protecting members for the chains between them and the molds.

2. In combination with a series of transverse molds having endmost connecting terminals, outer conveying chains, mold supporting members mounted on the chains with an intervening offset drop providing for barrier clearance and connected with the mold terminals, and longitudinally arranged protecting barriers for the chains between them and the molds extending into such clearance.

3. Incombination with a series of transverse molds having endmost connecting terminals, outer conveying chains, mold supporting members mounted on the chains with an intervening offset drop providing for barrier clearance and connected with the mold terminals, and longitudinally arranged protecting barriers of angle form having their vertical flanges extending between the chains and the molds inwardly of the offset drop of the mold supporting members.

4. In pig casting apparatus as described, a series of transverse molds having endmost connecting terminals, outer conveying chains and trackways for upper receiving travel, mold supporting bridge plates mounted on the chains extending inwardly with an intervening ofi-set providing for barrier clearance and connected with the mold terminals, and longitudinally arranged protecting barriers for the chains between them and the molds extending downwardly into such clearance when the molds are in receiving position.

FRANK F. BOLLINGER. CARL L. KENNEY. 

